Singapore, 28 June 2010 – The Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore (WMRAS) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), and National Environment Agency (NEA), to establish a Training, Advisory & Promotion (TAP) Centre for Environment and Waste Management in Singapore. The MOU was signed today by Chairman of WMRAS Mr Goh Swee Ooi, President of ISWA Dr Atilio Savino, and Chief Executive Officer of NEA Mr Andrew Tan at the ISWA-WMRAS Technical Workshop 2010, held in conjunction with the World Cities Summit.
With this agreement, WMRAS, ISWA and NEA aim to promote sustainable waste management and optimize the value of waste as a resource among industry and practitioners in Singapore and the region. The TAP Centre will be ISWA’s first-of-its kind training centre outside Europe, where the association is based. It will organise regional and international waste management training workshops, forums and tradeshows to promulgate an efficient waste management environment in Asia, as well as to provide waste management advisory services on policies and master-planning considerations to regional organisations and governments.
The TAP Centre will be a key hub for sustainable waste management in Asia, where it will serve as a depository of knowledge and data, and catalyst for regional collaboration and public-private partnerships in the region.
This tripartite agreement underscores the common goal and strategy to help address the growing waste challenge due to rapid expansion of economies and urban population in the region. Asia is currently generating about 1 million tonnes of waste per day and this is expected to increase exponentially to 1.8 million tonnes daily by 2025.
According to a World Bank study, the cost of solid waste management in urban Asia was US$25 billion per year in 1999 and this figure is expected to increase to US$50 billion per year by 2025. Hence, waste management has become a crucial issue in the Asia-Pacific region, potentially taking a toll on the environmental front and a country’s financial ability to cope with rising waste management costs.
“ISWA has been promoting sustainable waste management worldwide for 40 years and this initiative is a key milestone for us”, said Dr Atilio Savino, President of ISWA. “We are happy to find the right partners in WMRAS and NEA for a very important project like this. I am confident that this ambitious project could become a global best practice with Asia as an excellent building ground.”
Mr Goh Swee Ooi, Chairman of WMRAS, said, “With this collaboration, WMRAS will be well-positioned to develop Singapore into the regional hub for environment and waste management related innovations, services and technologies. This project will also enable us to service our members, stakeholders and collaborators in the region efficiently.”
Singapore’s global connectivity, strong ties with its Asian neighbours and good reputation in effective waste management lends itself as a suitable location to advance ISWA’s goals and membership services in the Asia-Pacific region. The city-state’s long-term and integrated approach in solid waste management has been recognised as a learning model for many countries to pursue economic vibrancy and a high-quality living environment.
Having an active regional environment and waste management hub in Singapore will hence shorten countries’ and their cities’ learning curve for developing sustainable and efficient solid waste management systems. It will also allow NEA to seek more sustainable solutions to meet Singapore’s own waste management needs in the long run.
“NEA welcomes the timely set up of the TAP Centre in Singapore. With rapid urbanization, economic and population growth simultaneously taking place in Asia, the efficient management of waste growth poses a significant challenge to governments while presenting business opportunities to our waste management industry. The TAP Centre will help to build up professionalism and technological competencies in the industry to raise the standard of waste management and tap on business opportunities in the region,” said Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive Officer of NEA.
Programmes and Initiatives under TAP Centre
Four key Programmes & Initiatives will be implemented in phases:
1. Outreach Program
This aims to increase the awareness of Solid Waste Management and Recycling potential in Asia-Pacific by hosting activities through Business & Solution Matchmaking, Technology and Research collaboration and Business Consultation for projects in developing countries.
2. Training & Education Program
Seminars, training courses (including e-learning modules) by ISWA and local experts will be organised for local and international audience.
3. Regional Data Resource Program
It will provide a good source of data and information for ISWA members who plan to venture into the Asia market.
4. Expert Advisory Panel Program
A panel of experts familiar with the various environmental and waste management issues in their respective countries (or region) will be established. This panel will offer advice and consultancy to ISWA members as well as to governments on Waste Management issues.
The TAP Centre is expected to be ready in the later half of 2011.
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Media Contacts:
WMRAS
Michael Ho (Mr)
DID: 6336 2255
Email: mho@pmd74.hbs.edu
Alancia Winnie Neo (Ms)
DID: 6723 3249
Email: alancia.neo@sembcorp.com
ISWA
Hermann Koller (Mr)
HP: +43 699 1706 6323
Email: HKoller@iswa.org
NEA
Christopher Chong (Mr)
DID: 6731 9214
Email: christopher_chong@nea.gov.sg
Annie Then (Ms)
DID: 6731 9901
Email: annie_then@nea.gov.sg
NEA Media Duty HP: 9088 7378
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About the Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore
The Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore (WMRAS) was established on 8th of August 2001 with the aim to provide a platform for companies in the waste management and recycling industry to raise the professionalism of the industry and address the common environmental industry concerns.
WMRAS promotes the adoption of best practices and synergistic alliance between members to reap the benefits of economies of scale and supports the government's green movement initiatives. Business networking events such as workshop, mission trips, conferences, exhibitions and members get together sessions are actively organised.
About ISWA
ISWA – The International Solid Waste Association – is an international, independent and non-profit making association, working in the public interest to promote and develop sustainable waste management. ISWA has more than 12,000 members in 80 countries and is the only worldwide association promoting sustainable, comprehensive and professional waste management.
The Association is open to individuals and organizations from the scientific community, public institutions and public and private companies from all over the world working in the field of and interested in waste management.
About the National Environment Agency (NEA)
Formed on 1 July 2002, the National Environment Agency (NEA) is the leading public organization responsible for improving and sustaining a clean and green environment in Singapore. The NEA develops and spearheads environmental initiatives and programmes through its partnership with the People, Public and Private sectors. It is committed to motivating every individual to take up environmental ownership and to care for the environment as a way of life. By protecting Singapore's resources from pollution, maintaining a high level of public health and providing timely meteorological information, the NEA endeavours to ensure sustainable development and a quality living environment for present and future generations.
For more information on the NEA, please visit www.nea.gov.sg